Asylum Law

Since 1978, Human Rights First has worked to protect and promote fundamental human rights around the world. Human Rights First's Refugee Protection Program assists indigent refugees from all backgrounds who have fled persecution on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, and who are seeking asylum in the United States.

Many of these asylum seekers are in urgent need of legal representation to assist them in asylum proceedings before immigration judges. Other asylum seekers need representation before the Asylum Office which is part of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

On Thursday, October 29, 2009, Human Rights First will sponsor a training seminar for attorneys interested in becoming volunteers with our asylum legal representation program, and others interested in learning more about asylum law. The seminar will take place at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, located at 450 Lexington Avenue (at 44th Street), New York, New York. The training will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and will run until 8:30 p.m., with registration from 5:30 p.m. to 5:55 p.m. An immigration judge, an asylum officer, an expert on working with survivors of torture, and asylum program staff will speak about effective representation of asylum applicants and recent developments in asylum law.

CLE credit in the "Skills" category will be available.

The training is free and no prior experience in immigration law is necessary. Participants should RSVP to RSVP_NYEvents@humanrightsfirst.org by October 16, 2009.

Human Rights First is a non-governmental organization which works to promote international human rights and refugee protection. Human Rights First's Refugee Protection Program has played a leading role in advancing fairness and non-discrimination for those seeking political asylum in the United States. The Chairman of Human Rights First is William D. Zabel. Michael Posner is Human Rights First's President, and Elisa Massimino is the Executive Director.